Some of the weirdest fitness trends over the past ten years

You might’ve heard of some strange fitness trends — sometimes they’re so bizarre that they make the headlines. It’s usually about people finding more interesting ways to get fit. But, what are some of the strangest fitness fads that we’ve seen over the past decade?

Ballet in a heated room

Have you noticed that many of the strange fitness classes first began in New York and Los Angeles? This is how hot barre began too.

This fad is all about doing classical ballet moves in a room heated to 40 degrees and it took off around 2015. Advocates of the fad say that hot barre encourages you to gain a deeper stretch while helping you release toxins and feel detoxed. Then, as the body has to work hard to cool itself down, you can expect your metabolism to boost and number of burnt calories to increase. Some people turn to yoga for easing shoulder pain and other musculoskeletal issues.

You might’ve noticed some similar classes near you too. Hot yoga for example is where classic mindfulness movements are performed in a heated pod — a guaranteed sweat stimulator.

Getting fit in high-heels

Would you ever consider putting on a pair of high-heels to get fit? Some people do! Research has suggested that even walking in high-heels (below three inches) can shape the calves and improve muscle tone and shape.

Movements such as lunging, squatting and lifting small weights while wearing high-heels, balance can also be improved. It hasn’t been fully determined whether wearing high-heels for a workout can result in weight loss, but it can help you learn how to walk better in them.

Running socks

When 2010 arrived, a fitness fad came along that saw runners trading in their running shoes for a form of running ‘sock’. Those who are in support of the trend say that running in trainers or running shoes can make you more prone to injury as it encourages running with unnatural form. It’s also said that running barefoot strengthens the tiny muscles found in feet, ankles and legs which can also reduce the risk of injury.

Some people do still enjoy running in this way, but it’s not as popular as it once was. Experts have said that switching to barefoot running without properly transitioning makes you prone to injuries. Only try this one if you’re willing to practise walking barefoot before running.

Plogging

Plogging made its way into our lives at the start of 2018, and some people haven’t looked back since. It’s a Scandinavian based trend that encourages people to pick up litter while out running — improving health and the environment.

The word comes from the word jogging and the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp’ which means pick up. The exercise part comes from running with intermittent squatting and lunging so you can pick up rubbish from the ground. It is an effective calorie burner too — fitness app Lifesum estimates that a typical user will burn 288 calories from 30 minutes of plogging.

Some people are showing off on social media — showing images of them in running gear with plastic bags ready to fill with litter. Could we see this trend become widespread sometime soon?

Could you predict which trend will be next?